Trash in Monterey Bay

In general, there is not a lot of trash underwater at the over 50 dive sites in Monterey and Carmel bays. One dive site is an exception: the Monterey Municipal Wharf. The good news is that many marine species, including fringeheads, use the trash as habitat. Fringeheads especially like discarded plumbing pipes. This photo shows a one-spot fringehead peeking out of a plumbing pipe near the Monterey Municipal Wharf.

Monterey Bay is home to multiple species of fringeheads. The fringe on their heads is called cirri and is used to detect vibrations and for camouflage. These little fish are shy, but curious, and their faces are very expressive.

Avocet in Alviso Slough Mercury Freedom Last month, we spotted several nesting Avocet in the Alviso Slough, at Alviso Marina County Park. The slough sits on the southern end of the San Francisco Bay in San Jose. The avocet eggs were camoflaged on the banks of the slough, but out in the open. When I took these photos, the eggs were just an inch from the edge of the channel.